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Mouse Wheel Not Working

Rahul Thadani
If you are facing the problem of a malfunctioning mouse wheel, this post can help you solve it. Leaf through this post to understand the issues involved and remedies for the same.
The mouse is an input device and an integral part of the computer. If you find your mouse wheel not working as smoothly as it should, you may find it difficult to perform some tasks. There are plenty of keyboard shortcuts that can aid you in overcoming this situation temporarily, but sooner or later, you will have to get the problem fixed.
The mouse wheel helps you to scroll up and down on a page, and to open windows in new tabs. There are easy alternatives for both these tasks but they will trouble you after a while.

Hardware Issues

If you are facing any problem then it is most likely a hardware issue. This is a physical defect that cannot be fixed permanently. It is far easier to just replace it rather than try to repair the wheel.
Even a computer repair shop would be hesitant to undertake such a minor job. It is very rare to see a faulty mouse due to a software problem, and this can only be confirmed if the mouse wheel works properly when connected to another terminal.

Software Issues

If you are convinced that the reason is software related, then you should attempt to change the mouse settings from the mouse properties window. To access this window you must go to the Control Panel, and then select the mouse icon.
The mouse properties window will open up, and here, you must select the wheel tab. This will help you set the properties and attributes, and eventually fix the problem. Change the settings as you wish and then check if it works properly.
You can also try to reinstall the software that comes with the mouse. Some manufacturers also provide a separate CD, and it is very likely that this software did not get properly installed on your machine. Reinstall it and then check your mouse wheel. If you are still encountering the problem, then something may be wrong with the mouse's hardware.
You can also try to get a driver update from the Internet, as some devices do not work with new applications that have been installed after the mouse's software. This is not an uncommon occurrence and it has been observed many times. Sometimes even restarting your PC can solve the problem.
A faulty mouse can hamper the functionality of a machine. Without a properly functioning mouse, the simplest of the tasks can become difficult on a computer.